News

Minister Commits to Improving Energy Efficiency of Fishing Vessels

07 February 2013

SPAIN - The Secretary General of Fisheries, Carlos Dominguez, has recalled the great importance that the cost of diesel has for the future of the fishing industry and therefore the ministy's firm commitment to research and innovation to improve the energy efficiency of fishing vessels.

Mr Dominguez explained that the ultimate goal is to establish an energy audit for the energy status of a ship, its equipment, components, or their mode of operation. The aim is that this will determine the degree of efficiency of the equipment, and propose corrective measures to improve these aspects and increase the profitability of the ship.

In this regard, he noted that while audits must be understood to determine the energy potential of the ship, "the studies themselves allow us to estimate savings percentages derived directly from implementing solutions in these audits once completed."

The Secretary General has also highlighted other initiatives that have been developed in recent years, including the replacement of gasoline outboards other using LPG as fuel, "another real possibility that will improve the energy performance of our artisanal fleet".

The Secretary General concluded his speech by encouraging CEPESCA to "maximize funding opportunities that the future European Maritime Fisheries Fund will offer to achieve a more efficient fleet economically and environmentally sustainable level."